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Press Release Embargoed 4th June 2009

Keep the libel laws out of science

Simon Singh announces today that he is applying to appeal the judge’s ruling in the case of BCA v Singh in conjunction with the launch of a support campaign to defend the right of the public to read the views of scientists and writers.

In a statement calling for an urgent review of the English law of libel and its impact on critical debate about science and evidence, over 100 figures from the worlds of science, journalism, publishing, comedy, literature and law have joined together to express support for Singh in his ongoing libel case. The case was brought following Singh’s criticism of the promotion of chiropractic for infant conditions and has already cost Singh £100,000 to defend. The signatories say that the libel laws should be kept out of scientific disputes and the British Chiropractic Association should discuss the evidence for chiropractic in the public domain.

The statement and campaign, which has been developed through a collaboration of individuals and organisations alarmed by the case brought against Singh, is being hosted and coordinated by UK science education charity Sense About Science (www.senseaboutscience.org.uk/freedebate). Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Singh, who is now taking his case to the Court of Appeal, said,

“The British Chiropractic Association’s decision to sue me for libel has been an enormous drain on my time and energy. However, the support that I have received from family, friends, readers, bloggers, scientists, journalists and those who care about free speech has been incredible, and it has played a crucial role in my decision to continue defending my article and fighting the libel action.

“Everyone agrees that there is something fundamentally wrong with the English libel laws, which have a chilling effect on journalists, whether they write about science or anything else, whether they live in Britain or anywhere else. Hence, I am delighted that so many individuals and organisations have come together to launch a campaign with Sense About Science to highlight how the English libel laws clash with the right to discuss science in a frank and fair way.”

Also speaking at the press conference: Tracey Brown, Managing Director of Sense About Science: “This goes to the heart of what we all do. We suspect that the huge level of support that has greeted the statement indicates a much wider frustration about these unfair laws and the damage they do to a free debate. As we move decisively away from a time when many scientists did not deign to share their reasoning and views with the public, with this case and other recent libel actions, we meet with the problem that they don’t dare to. We urge everyone who cares about their right to read what scientists really think - including robust criticism of others’ evidence - to join the signatories and push for parliamentary reform.”

Edzard Ernst, Professor of Complementary Medicine, Co Author with Singh of ‘Trick or Treatment’: “In healthcare, disagreements over evidence happen all the time, but it is wholly inappropriate to resort to personal attacks or the law courts. To resolve them we must employ open discussions about the scientific facts. If this process is bypassed, we jeopardize free speech and medical progress.

Nick Cohen, Observer columnist, who said: “For years, rich and dubious characters, from Ukrainian oligarchs to the managers of Icelandic banks have flocked to London to use our libel laws because English law is stacked against free speech. The chilling effect on legitimate public debate has been so severe it has attracted international censure. It would be scandalous if the hounding of Simon Singh were to lead to those same chill winds freezing scientific discourse.”

FURTHER INFORMATION: CALL SILE LANE (pron Sheila) AT SENSE ABOUT SCIENCE 020 7478 4380, 07875 662 163, Slane[at]senseaboutscience.org

Notes

  1. Signatories include Baroness Kennedy, Lord Rees, Martin Amis, Stephen Fry, Ricky Gervais. See attached statement
  2. The statement will go online on Thursday 4th June for people to add their signatures.
  3. The statement is being sent to DCMS, No 10 and Department for Justice on Thursday 4th June and with each additional 1000 signatures until there is a commitment and a timetable for the necessary legislation.
  4. Simon Singh is funding his own libel action but donations can be made to the campaign. We are also seeking pledges of finance and pro bono help to assess the potential for establishing a fund to help individual science writers who are sued for libel to get initial legal advice
  5. Information about the legal developments in BCA v Singh at www.jackofkent.blogspot.com and Simon Singh’s account of the case is available from Sense About Science.
  6. Sense About Chiropractic, a primer, is available from Sense About Science.
  7. The Department of Culture Media and Sport is expected to respond later this year to a parliamentary report on libel laws.
  8. A response from cross party MPs to the statement is expected.
  9. Simon Singh is a trustee of Sense About Science.



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    Last updated: October 07 2009
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